A quest to redefine Southeast Asian studies is underway at the University of Â鶹´«Ã½ at ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹. In spring 2024, the (CSEAS) embarked on a transformative mission, aiming to diversify voices and perspectives within academia.
The majority of influential Southeast Asian literature is authored by Western scholars, with comparatively fewer contributions from Southeast Asian and other non-Western intellectuals. In collaboration with Michigan State University¡¯s (MSU) Center for Southeast Asian Studies, Sopheak Chann, a CSEAS¡¯s faculty fellow at MSU, helped conceive and organize the LuceSEA webinar series on decolonizing Southeast Asia.
“To decolonize literature is to recondition the processes of knowledge production,” said Chann. “We invited speakers from diverse backgrounds and geographies to discuss decolonizing Southeast Asia Studies by exploring four conditions in which Southeast Asia literature is produced: learning, teaching, researching and writing.”
In-depth discussion
The , a virtual platform named in honor of the Henry Luce Foundation, a key supporter of CSEAS at UH ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹, divided the series into four sessions: Relearning Southeast Asia, Reteaching Southeast Asia, Researching Southeast Asia and Rewriting Southeast Asia. Organizers invite educators to incorporate the video series as a resource into their syllabi and curriculum.
In the webinar, , graduate students from various regions in Southeast Asia; Sara Loh (Malaysia), Dalilah Laidin (Brunei) and Ariel Mota Alves (Timor-Leste) shared their educational experiences. Moderated by Ehito Kimura, an associate professor in at UH ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹, the session prompted students to reflect on their field school experiences and their impact on understanding Southeast Asia.
delved into urban planning and policy issues. Led by Miriam Stark, director of CSEAS, and featuring UH ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹ Professors Ashok and Priyam Das from the , the session re-examined colonial legacies and their influence on urban landscapes.
highlighted the importance of flexible research methodologies. From Cambodia to Thailand, panelists shared their academic journeys, offering insights into colonial histories and enriching scholarly discourse.
showcased the complexities of data analysis and publication challenges. Panelists from different disciplines and nationalities delved into the intricacies of scholarly production in Southeast Asia.
Funding for the series came from the Henry Luce Foundation Southeast Asia Initiative, which is part of the five-year grant to CSEAS.